Group B - Preview

Now things are getting interesting.  Group A was pretty clear cut.  Group B, well that's whole different ball of wax.  Grudge matches, dark horses, and the possibly overlooked will make for fun... and probably some fireworks too.

Spain:

There is not a lot to say really. They've proven they're the best.  The winner of the 2010 World Cup and 2012 EURO's, they are the most dominating team in the field. And there is no reason that they can't keep it up. One thing they will dominate is passing. Another thing is possession. No team in the tournament will pass the ball more times or keep hold of it for more minutes. You can take that to the bank. No one who faces them can do much more than just sit back and defend, hoping for a rare Iberian miscue. Good luck.

In the 2010 Final their opponents, the Netherlands, tried a Hack-a-Shaq approach of sorts by saying, "Well, if we can't kick the ball then we'll just kick them." The Karate kicks landed on their targets but in the end Spain still raised the trophy. Funny though, Spain aren't being picked by a lot of pundits to win this year. Maybe these so called "experts" are just bored with seeing La Furia Roja topple everyone in their paths... or maybe they're onto something. The team is getting older and they may have a chink in the armor.  They play with 4 defenders in the back, none of whom are physically imposing, and all of whom ply their trade in Spain where opposition forwards tend to be the small and quick rather than the giants found in other parts of Europe. A team with size could find themselves a head above in free-kick situations because of this.  If opponents can figure out how to get the ball and how to draw a foul... well then they could possibly make Spain finally feel like this game is more than just simple child's play.  

David Villa

Player to Watch: Spain's David Villa just signed with the 2015 MLS expansion team NYFC. Villa has been one of the most prolific scorers in Spain and on the international stage.  This is another big move for Major League Soccer.  Fans of the Sounders, Galaxy, Kansas City and other top teams around the country will be watching i hopes that he might be showing signs of slowing down soon.

Chile:

Jorge Sampaoli

Chile has one of the longest World Cup history's of any of the teams in this year's tournament. They first showed up in 1930 and have been on and off the scene ever since. When this qualifying run began they looked like they were on their way to retaining their status of never qualifying for two tournaments in a row. But then came Jorge Sampaoli. He was hired as the coach at the halfway point of the campaign and sparked a phenomenal turnaround. His offensive bent and tactics saw Chile win five, and tie one, of their last six games.

Arturo Vidal

Chile is an offensive force.  Their duo of Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas can rip through any defense on their day.  They also have a Arturo Vidal who some call the world's most complete mid-fielder.  La Roja have great chemistry, tons of confidence, and a belief that their own mix of technique and flair can see them challenge for the cup. Maybe they could... Especially if they didn't share a group with both of the 2010 finalists and an Australian team that who all could breakdown Chile's less than ideal defense. Bummer.  But if they can hold onto the ball a bit and stop hemorrhaging goals, as is their norm, they could take advantage of the dogfights around them to slip through into the knockout stages.

Netherlands:
Call them the Netherlands, Holland, or the Dutch. It doesn't matter. Because what they are truly defined by is the color they wear. The Oranje isn't just 11 men in bright uniforms but it's a the identifying color of an entire country. The Dutch are hands down the best traveling fans in the world. It is worth watching their games just to see the orange streams flowing into the stadiums and to gawk at the stadiums full of what looks like an navel-tinted mascot version of an American Idol audition. 

Arjen Robben

But the Netherlands are going to need more than their Oranje army behind them if they hope to best the their progress in 2010. Forget getting to the final. The Dutch just need to make it past the knockout round the right way. This attacking team and big back line do have the ability to beat most of the teams in their group. But even if they can get enough points to progress that still may not help their hopes. Anything short of a first place in their group could most likely see them up against Brazil, THE match-up they'd rather avoid than any other.
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To place first they need to feed the ball out to the wings where speedy players, like Arjen Robben, can do their magic.  If Robben can stay on his feet long, and work with his teammates well, then the fans may keep the party going late into July. But if Robben gets frustrated, starts keeping the ball, diving like a penguin, and crying like a toddler who keeps losing their cookie - well, then the frowns lining the lining the locks and canals will continue to be upside down for four more years.

Tim Cahill - Brandon Bleek Photo

Australia:
The Socceroos did well to get here. They had a rough qualifying but squeezed their way in at the end. They have some very talented players. Notable is the New York Redbulls captain, Tim Cahill. Cahill has more World Cup goals than any other Australian in history. His ability and experience in the midfield could prove to be a foundation for a successful team to stand on.
If he can reign in fellow-attacker Brett Holman and spur-on his center backs then they might, just might,  have a shot...

Or not...  After all they have to face all the teams above.  Spain's finesse, Netherlands power, and Chile's creativity are enough to send any team packing. Australia could't make it through the group round in 2010 against a much lesser gathering of foes. Their history, competition, and the fact that they are hamstrung by injuries to some of their top players, like Robbie Kruse, could put them between a rock and Uluru Mountain. Seriously, the Roos would have to discover the secret to limitless at-will miracles to get through the Group Stage this time. Anythings possible but I think that an Australian appearance in the Round of 16 would leave most of the soccer world stunned and their fans in a deeper dream-like state than a dehydration-induced walk-about hallucination.

Pick smart my friends.